How Others See It

Crystal Hatfield Published: July 6, 2006 12:00 AM

American flag deserves special protectionA constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the American flag failed by one vote in the U.S. Senate last week, an unfortunate roll call that prevents people in this country from expressing their views on this divisive issue.A two-thirds majority was required in the Senate to send the amendment to the states for ratification. At that time, Americans could have resolved the matter once and for all by lobbying their local legislators for action. Three-fourths of the state legislatures would have had to approve the amendment for it to become part of the Constitution.At the heart of the debate was whether Congress, or the states, should take the exceptional step of excluding flag burning from protection under the First Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled in 1989 and 1990 that desecration of the flag was protected under the Constitution.The proposed amendment was sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. It read: The Congress shall have the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. ...The flag, a symbol of American freedom, deserves special consideration. It represents the millions of troops who have given their lives to the American dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. ...The passionate debate against the amendment was led by well-intentioned leaders like Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii. He lost an arm in World War II and was awarded the Medal of Honor. ...Attempts to alter the First Amendment cause millions of Americans to cringe.Still, as we see images flashed back to this country of terrorists or protesters burning the flag, it hits hard and infuriates the average American. ...The flag is more than cloth, waving in the breeze. It represents everything good and decent about this country.The American flag deserves special care, even if it means changing the Constitution.(Carbondale, Ill.) Southern Illinoisan